The federal government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, on Sunday, said it would soon unveil its plans for the inland waterways and coastal services in the industry.

Its minister, Adegboyega Oyetola, was quoted to have disclosed this in a statement in Lagos by the chief executive officer (CEO) of Zoe Maritime, Tosan Edodo-Moore.

The minister will unveil the plans at the forthcoming Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting.

Ms Edodo-Moore said the federal government, through its renewed agenda, was committed to increasing the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country, by increasing the revenue generated by the ministry.

“We are pleased to announce the Maritime Business Roundtable Breakfast Meeting (MBRBM) on Security and New Technologies in Inland Waterways Transportation, scheduled for April 18 in Lagos.

“The highlight of the meeting is the intervention of Madam Yan Yuqing, the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China.

“Yuqing will share the Sino-Nigeria Maritime Relationship and lessons to be learnt from China, which has the largest inland waterways network in the world.

“Also, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, will unveil the administration’s plans for inland waterways and coastal services.

“The subject will be dissected by a panel, comprising industry stakeholders, regulatory authorities and security agencies,” she said.

Mr Edodo-Moore said the panelists would include Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Dayo Mobereola, the director general of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

Others are Munirudeen Oyebamiji, the managing director National Inland Waterways Authority, [NIWA] Lokoja and Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, the general manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

It will also include Oluseyi Oluyede, the managing director, Niger Benue Transport Co Ltd. and AIG Rhoda Olofu, the Maritime Police Command.

According to her, expected participants are port users, maritime stakeholders, government agencies, banks (with maritime desk), insurance companies, ship-owners, boat operators, logistics companies, freight forwarders, oil and gas companies and foreign entities.

Ms Edodo-Moore said the benefits of the Maritime Breakfast Roundtable include visibility, growth, networking, impartation and exchange of knowledge.

(NAN)